Marietta City Council Committees

Standing CommitteesThe members of Marietta City Council sit on various committees which are responsible for bills that are referred to their respective committees. There are seven standing committees, including Finance and Taxation, Streets and Transportation, Water, Sewers and Sanitation, Public Lands, Buildings and Parks, Employee Relations, Police and Fire and Planning, Zoning, Annexation and Housing. After a bill is introduced to the committee, it is discussed, deliberated and then a vote of recommendation to send it to the city law director to prepare for legislation. Then the legislation is sent back to council where it is voted on in its original form and at this point amendments to the legislation may be made from the floor.

AssignmentsThe president of council shall promptly following election appoint all council members to the standing committees. Committees shall be composed of at least three members, who shall serve for the term of the president of council. All members of council may attend and participate in committee meetings, but only the committee chairman, two members of the committee or any three members of council may request the legislation be prepared by the city law director after deliberation.

Finance and TaxationThe Finance and Taxation Committee is responsible for all financial matters of the city of Marietta, including passing a balanced budget annually and approving city expenditures and appropriations. In addition to committee meetings, the committee conducts audit meetings on the financial health of the city of Marietta. The Finance Committee oversees and approves fiscal matters relating to city departments.

Chair: Michael Scales

Members: Michael McCauley and Cassidi Shoaf

Streets and TransportationThe Streets and Transportation Committee handles all matters relating to city streets and public transportation and limousine and taxi operations. The Streets Committee handles the approval of new and improvements to transportation infrastructure and operations.

Chair: Kathleen Downer

Members: Geoff Schenkel and Michael McCauley

Water, Sewers and SanitationThe Water, Sewers and Sanitation Committee is responsible for all matters related to Marietta's water supply, sewage disposal, and the municipal collection of solid waste. This committee handles all issues pertaining to the city's sewage rates and approval of sewer taps outside the city.

Chair: Michael McCauley

Members: Kathy Downer and Steve Thomas

Public Lands, Buildings and ParksThe Public Lands, Buildings and Parks Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to public parks, buildings, parking lots, playgrounds and public recreation. In addition, it handles the sale, lease and purchase of all city-owned properties.

Chair: Cindy Oxender

Members: Michael Scales and Geoff Schenkel

Employee RelationsThe Employee Relations Committee handles all matters pertaining to all city employees including creating and setting the wages, benefits and union contract approvals. The committee is also charged with approving the city's organizational chart.

Chair: Cassidi Shoaf

Members: Steve Thomas and Michael Scales

Police and FireThe Police and Fire Committee is responsible for the oversight of matters pertaining to the Marietta Police and Fire Departments. In addition, it is responsible for enacting laws for all matters related to the city' public safety.

Chair: Steve Thomas

Members: Kathleen Downer and Cindy Oxender

Planning, Zoning, Annexation and HousingThe Planning, Zoning, Annexation and Housing Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to the city's community development, economic development, zoning, annexation and housing. The committee oversees the appropriation and expenditure of Marietta's Community Development Block Grants which fund programs like police patrols, community housing programs and ADA and senior services.

The committee also works to improve the city's sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness and improvement to our natural resources as well as all matters emanating from the City Planning Commission, and city planning and zoning issues.

Chair: Geoff Schenkel

Members: Cassidi Shoaf and Cindy Oxender

Non-Specific MattersAll subject matter not pertaining to a specific standing committee will be assigned by the president of council to any standing committee or special committee to be named by the president of council.

Assignments

The following members of council will serve as members or as liaisons to the various city boards and commissions, many of these assignments are automatic due to the committee appointments: